🌱 Patch AM: How Tempe schools plan to get kids back in class

Good morning Tempe! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Tempe schools plan to get kids back in class
• ASU hockey's emotional Tempe home opener honors teammate Matthew Mayich

Also on today's calendar: Joel Sartore: An ARCC Toward a Better Future and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 84 and low of 64 degrees.
• Tuesday: A passing shower or two, temps: high: 80, low: 58.
• Wednesday: Nice with plenty of sun, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Tempe Elementary School District softens approach to reducing absenteeism (tempenews.com) — Tempe Elementary School District is rolling out a softer, data-driven strategy to cut chronic absenteeism, tying quarterly goals to specific problem days like Fridays and holiday weeks. Working with EveryDay Labs, schools are using dashboards, social workers, and family outreach to solve transportation and childcare barriers, while also chasing state accountability bonus points and reconsidering Friday staff training as both students and employees miss more school that day.
   

• 'We're playing for 27': ASU hockey splits home opening series against Holy Cross (statepress.com) — ASU hockey opened its 2026–27 home schedule at Mullett Arena in Tempe with an emotional series split against Holy Cross, playing in honor of hospitalized defenseman Matthew Mayich. After a heartbreaking late collapse in Friday's 2–1 loss, the Sun Devils rebounded Saturday with a gritty 5–4 overtime win, as players and coaches leaned on each other through a season clouded by grief and coaching uncertainty.
   

📸 Around Tempe

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Tempe

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday October 12
• OPEN MIC →
  Yucca Tap Room, 29 West Southern Avenue, Tempe
  9:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday October 12
• Start of Q2 →
  New School for the Arts & Academics, 1216 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe
  9:30 pm
Tuesday October 13
• Hearing and Vision Screening →
  New School for the Arts & Academics, 1216 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe
  9:00 am
• UPLifted Voices →
  DSNetwork Enrichment Center, 1445 E Guadalupe Rd Suite 103, Tempe
  4:00 pm
• UPBeat Percussion →
  DSNetwork Enrichment Center, 1445 E Guadalupe Rd Suite 103, Tempe
  5:00 pm
• Arizona Yacht Club Monthly Meeting →
  2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy Suite 1100, Tempe
  7:00 pm
• Fractured Obscurity →
  Yucca Tap Room, 29 West Southern Avenue, Tempe
  8:00 pm
Wednesday October 14
• Teacher PD Day / 1/2 Day for Students →
  New School for the Arts & Academics, 1216 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe
  8:50 am
• MS 5/6 Volleyball @ Grace Christian →
  Grace Christian Academy, 1200 E Southern Ave, Tempe
  4:00 pm
Friday October 16
• Joel Sartore: An ARCC Toward a Better Future →
  Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix
  5:30 pm
Saturday October 17
• 300 Paintings →
  ASU Gammage, 1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe
  7:00 pm
Saturday October 31
• Arizona Animal Welfare League- 2026 Walk to Save Animals →
  Tempe Beach Park, 80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe
  8:00 am

📣 Tempe Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Tempe PatchAM possible:

• Artemis Adolescent Healing Center — (520) 614-8647

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is he yours?
  Boy kitten, 5-6 weeks old, Found Thursday near Smith & Apache. Was covered in fleas and green bugs with a respiratory infection. Has since received… (Nextdoor Escalante & Alegre)
• Is anyone willing to mount my TV for me ?
  It's a 50in Samsung super light I have a TV mount already, I also have a small drill and the screws that are needed (Nextdoor The Lakes)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Dental Care Coordinator and Billing Specialist - Guadalupe, AZ in Tempe. Apply here.
• nVent posted a job opening for Machine Operator-Forming in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

🗞 Nearby News

Chandler

• Costi Hinn makes history at Share the Arrows, urges wives to be 'crowns' (theblaze.com)
• Arizona teen heads to Washington for National Civics Bee (fox10phoenix.com)
• Christopher D. Maloney Reports No Securities in Initial Comtech Telecommunications Filing (kalkinemedia.com)

Paradise Valley

• PVSchools approve West-MEC agreement outlining $2.17M in career training funds (yourvalley.net)

Ok Tempe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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